Railway Age seeks nominees for 2014 Short Line/Regional awards

Railway Age is now accepting entries for its annual Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year competition. Short lines and regionals—and there are more than 500 of them—are invited to submit entries describing outstanding achievement in one or a combination of areas.

Small roads in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada are eligible for an award (and railroads can even nominate themselves). Our 2014 winners will be awarded specially designed plaques at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif., being held April 22-25, 2014. Articles describing their achievements will appear in Railway Age’s April 2014 issue, which will be distributed at the show. Railway Age also will work with the winners to publicize the awards in online and national media, as well as any in-house websites available.

“More short line and regional railroads are making themselves known to their local businesses, local chambers of commerce, and the general public as well, because they contribute to the economic vitality of their local and regional economies,” says Managing Editor Douglas John Bowen. “As the nation’s economy changes with the times—as it must—and turns toward rail for help, small railroads have done their part and then some. Short lines and regional railroads are innovators when it comes to turnaround situations, consistent excellence, streamlined operations, efficient maintenance, marketing, customer service, enhanced productivity, community relations, and safety improvement. <br><br>

“We firmly believe a railroad’s ‘green’ advantage gives short lines and regional railroads alike an additional marketing edge that only grows in importance as we move deeper into the 21st century,” Bowen adds.

“Award winners in years past have ranged from large regionals spanning several states to small short lines with single-digit mileage,” says Bowen. “In most years, separate awards have been given for regional and short line carriers. Many are deserving—perhaps more than we can rightfully honor.”

Submit your entries to: Douglas John Bowen, Managing Editor, Railway Age, 55 Broad Street, 26th floor, New York, NY 10004. E-mail: dbowen@sbpub.com. Fax: (212) 633-1863. Entries should contain the name, position, and contact information of the nominator and an approximately 500-word description of the achievement(s) of the nominated railroad. (Longer and short descriptions are admissible; 500 words is only a guideline.) Entry forms are not essential, but may be obtained from Bowen by fax or e-mail. The entry deadline is Tuesday, March 4, 2014, so please don’t delay.